Alarm generator

ABSTRACT

The alarm generator furnishes a coded signal which is repeated in accordance with predetermined events which may occur on the premises at which the generator is located, such as fire, burglary, and equipment failure. After a central station has been apprised of the occurrence of an event by transmitting the requisite number of rounds of the coded signal, the alarm generator is reset by transmitting another round or rounds of the coded signal such that the number of rounds sent to apprise the central station of an event plus the number of rounds sent in resetting the alarm generator is constant.

Kneeland 1451 May 13, 1975 ALARM GENERATOR [76] Inventor: John K.Kneeland, Mill Ln., Old

Lyme, Conn. 06371 22 Filed: Aug. 14,1973

21 Appl. No.: 388,225

Ward 340/293 Lamonaco 340/293 X Primary Examiner-John W. CaldwellAssistant ExaminerWilliam M. Wannisky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Prangley,Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler & Stotland [57] ABSTRACT The alarm generatorfurnishes a coded signal which is repeated in accordance withpredetermined events which may occur on the premises at which thegenerator is located, such as fire, burglary, and equipment failure.After a central station has been apprised of the occurrence of an eventby transmitting the requisite number of rounds of the coded signal, thealarm generator is reset by transmitting another round or rounds of thecoded signal such that the number of rounds sent to apprise the centralstation of an event plus the number of rounds sent in resetting thealarm generator is constant 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures CUSTOM ERCUSTOMER SHEET 10F 2 CUSTOMER FIG. 2

PATENTED RAY I 3 I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 I CENTRAL STATION ALARM GENERATORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to thefield of security systems wherein alarm generators are respectivelylocated in a number of premises, such as the apartments in an apartmentbuilding, all of the premises beings connected to a central station byway of a common line. The system utilizes waht is commonly referred toas the McCullough loop, wherein each alarm generator is assigned aspecific code, and when an event occurs at that station, the alarmgenerator transmits to the central station that code.

In the past, alarm systems of this general type were capable oftransmitting to the central station information as to a single event,such as the occurrence of a burglary, of fire or equipment failure, etc.If the customer wished the central station to supervise the occurrenceof the other events, he would have to purchase additional equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an important object of thepresent invention to provide an alarm generator which is capable oftransmitting information regarding the occurrence of one of a pluralityof events, such as the occurrence of a burglary, a fire, equipmentfailure, the existence of general emergency panic," etc.

The invention consists of certain features of construction, and acombination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims, it being understood that various changes in the structure may bemade without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For the purpose of facilitating anunderstanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which,when considered in connection with the following description, theinvention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many ofits advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an alarm System in which alarm generators in aplurality of premises are connected in series with the receiver at acentral station;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alarm generator incorporating the featuresof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the code wheel used in thealarm generator, together with a McCollough switch;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the mechanical and electricalconnections in the alarm generator of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram like FIG. 1 but illustrating some of the otherdetails of the alarm generators in each of the premises.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to thedrawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustratedan alarm system 10 in which one of several events occurring at acustomers location is to be relayed to a central station 11. The alarmsystem 10 of FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which three blocksrepresenting three remote points are shown. Each remote point signifiesa customer, such as an apartment in a condominium or apartment building.Thus, for example, a block within which is inscribed Customer 233 meansa given apartment in the building and the block within which isinscribed Customer 234 represents another apartment in the building. Theblock within which is inscribed Customer n" represents yet anotherapartment in the building. A series of dashes is noted between theCustomer 234 and Customer n signifying that any desired number ofapartments may be hooked up in the alarm system 10. The connectionsrepresent electrical connections between the alarm generators in theindividual apartments and the central station 11. Thus, the alarmgenerators in all of the apartments in the building are connected inseries with the receiver that is located in the central station 11. Itis further noted that such receiver is grounded as is the alarmgenerator in each apartment. The reasons for this will become moreapparent hereinafter.

Basically, the alarm system depicted in FIG. 1 operates on the principleof a McCullough loop wherein all of the alarm generators share a commonline. When an event occurs in one of the apartments, a code signalrepresentation of that apartment only is transmitted to the centralstation 11. Thus, for example, if an event occurred in the apartmentlabeled Customer 233, the alarm generator therein would produce a signalrepresenting the number 233. The central station 11 would then beapprised that an event has occurred in the corresponding apartment. Aswill become more clear hereinafter, the number of times the code isrepeated represents the kind of event that has occurred, to wit, fire,burglary, equipment failure, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the details of the alarm generator used in one ofthe apartments will be described. The alarm generator of FIG. 2 isrepresented generally by the numeral 20. The alarm generator 20 includesa main plate 21 with an opening therein through which the motor 57 (FIG.6) protrudes. There is also provided a subplate 22 which is secured tothe main plate 21 by means of screws 23. Mounted on the main plate 21 isa terminal strip 24 having thirteen terminals 25 connected to thevarious elements of the alarm generator 20, and are used for makingexternal connections to the power supply, to the telephone line, etc.

The alarm generator 20 includes a McCullough switch 30 including a base31 secured to the subplate 22. The McCullough switch 30 has a pair ofspaced apart flexible arms 32 and 33 mechanically mounted on the base31, the arm 32 having a finger 34 at the end thereof remote from thebase 31. The arm 33 is biased counterclockwise so that its free endabuts against a post 35. Contacts 36 are respectively caried by the arms32 and 33 near the outer ends thereof. The switch 30 also includes asecond pair of arms 37 and 38 carried by the base 31 and located beneaththe arms 32 and 33. A finger 39 is carried by the arm 37. The arm 38 isalso biased counterclockwise so that its outer end abuts against a post40. Contacts 41 are respectively carried by the arms 37 and 38 near theouter ends thereof. Wiring 42 electrically connects the arms 32, 33, 37and 38, to certain of the terminals on the terminal strip 24.

The alarm generator 20 further includes a code wheel which has aplurality of outwardly directed teeth 51 thereon. The code wheel 50 hasa central opening therein which nonrotatably receives the neck 53 of agear (not shown) which gear engages a gear train including gears 54, 55and 56. A motor 57 (FIG. 6) is opcratively connected to the gear 55 sothat the operation of the motor causes rotation of the code wheel 50.The code is transmitted by opening and closing the contacts 36 and thecontacts 41. As the motor 57 rotates the code wheel 50 counterclockwise,the finger 34 travels up the side of a tooth 51 on the wheel 50 and thecontacts 36 close. As the wheel 50 continues to rotate, the finger 34falls between the teeth 51 and the contacts 36 open. The opening andclosing of the contacts 36 produces a pulse on the transmission line(not shown) connected to certain terminals 25. One revolution of thewheel 50 generates a round of pulses corresponding to the code for thealarm generator 20. The contacts 41 are similarly opened and closed byvirtue of the finger 39 being operated by the wheel 50. However, as canbe seen from FIG. 2, the finger 39 is slightly behind the finger 34 sothat the pulses produced by opening and closing of the contacts 41 istime delayed with respect to the pulses produced by opening and closingof the contacts 36. Thus, on the transmission line there will appear twosequences ofpulses, one delayed in time with respect to the other. Thesepulses will be received by the receiving station 11 and may, if desired,be recorded by a suitable double pen register.

The particular sequence of pulses for indicating which station istransmitting is determined by the teeth 51 remaining in the code wheel50. Certain teeth, such as those shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4, havebeen removed to provide spaces leaving the rest to provide pulses fortransmission. In the example illustrated, the first through third,sixth, tenth, fourteenth and fifteenth teeth have been removed. Thus,the wheel 50 includes two teeth followed by a space, followed by threeteeth, followed by a space, followed by three teeth, followed by aspace. Accordingly, the code signal generated by the alarm generatorcorresponds to the number 233. The number 233 indicates the particulargenerator in the overall alarm system. The number of times that thenumber 233 is generated, that is, the number of rounds, indicates thetype of event which has occurred, as will be explained.

Turning now to FlG. 6, further elements of the alarm generator will bedescribed. There is provided a relay 60 having a winding 61 having oneend coupled to ground and the other end coupled to an equipment failureinput 62. A bar 63 represents a short which would occur when a piece ofmonitored equipment fails, causing a B+ supply voltage to be coupled tothe relay winding 61 thereby energizing same. The relay 60 includes apair of latching or holding contacts 64a and 64!), the movable contact64!) being coupled to the winding 61. The relay includes a further setof contacts 65, including stationary contacts 65a and 65b and a movablecontact 650. The equipment failure portion also includes a cam operatedswitch 67 having fixed contacts 67a and 67b and a movable contact 670.The fixed contact 67a is connected to the fixed contact 650 of the relay60, and the contact 67b is connected to the contact 6512.

The alarm generator also has a relay 70 including a winding 71 havingone end coupled to ground and the other end coupled to a burglary input72. A bar 73 represents a short which would occur when a door or windowof the premises is opened, causing a 8+ supply voltage to be coupled tothe relay winding 71 thereby energizing same. The relay 70 includes apair of latching or holding contacts 74a and 7417, the movable contact741) being coupled to the winding 71. The relay 70 also includes a setof contacts 75, including stationary contacts 75a and 75b and a movablecontact 750. The relay 70 includes a pair of contacts 76 respectivelycoupled to 8+ and to burglar-alarm generator. When the contacts 76 areclosed, B+ is supplied to the alarm generator to cause an alarm such asa siren. flashing light, etc. to occur. The burglar alarm portion alsoincludes a cam operated switch 77 having fixed contacts 771: and 77b anda movable contact 77c. The fixed contact 77a is connected to the fixedcontact 75a of the relay 70, and the contact 77b is connected to thecontact 75b.

The alarm generator also has a relay 80 including a winding 81 havingone end coupled to ground and the other end coupled to a fire input 82.A bar 83 represents a short which takes when a fire occurs causing a 8+supply voltage to be coupled to the relay winding 81 thereby energizingsame. The relay 80 includes a pair of latching or holding contacts 84aand 8412, the contact 84a being connected to the contacts 64a and 74a.It also includes a set of stationary contacts 85a and 85b and a movablecontact 850, which contact 85c is coupled to the B-lsupply voltage. Therelay 80 includes a pair of contacts 86 respectively coupled to B+ andto a fire alarm. When the contacts 86 are closed, 8+ is supplied to aalarm to cause an alarm such as a siren, flashing light, etc. to occur.The fire alarm portion also includes a cam operated switch 87 havingfixed contacts 87a and 87b and a movable contact 87c. The fixed contact87a is connected to the fixed contact 85a of the relay 80, and thecontact 8712 is connected to the contact 851).

The alarm generator 20 includes reset circuitry, including a reset relay90 having a winding 91, one end of the winding 91 being connected to theB+ supply voltage and the other end being connected through a pushbuttonswitch 93 to ground reference potential. The relay 90 also includes aset of fixed contacts 94a and 94b and movable contact 94c. The movablecontact 94c is coupled to the B+ supply voltage; the fixed contact 94ais coupled to the high end of the relay winding 71. The fixed contact94b is connected to the fixed contacts 6411,7411 and 84a. There also isprovided a cam operated switch 97 having a fixed contact 97a coupled tothe B+ supply voltage and a movable contact 97c.

The movable contacts 67c, 77c, 87c and 97c are respectively coupledtogether and to one terminal of the motor 57 which is DC operated, theother terminal of the motor being connected to ground referencepotential. A B+ voltage on the first mentioned terminal of the motor 57causes it to operate and, therefore, rotate the code wheel 50 aspreviously explained.

The alarm generator also includes control mechanisms for the camoperated switches. To operate the cam operated switch 67, there isprovided a first cam 100 having a raised portion 101 and a recessedportion 102. The movable contact 670 is biased counterclockwise and hasa finger at its outer end which rides on the cam 100. When it is on theportion 101, the contacts 67b and 67 c are closed, whereas when itenters the portion 102, the contact 67(- engages the contact 67a. Tooperate the cam operated switch 77, there is provided a cam 110 having araised portion 111 and a recessed portion 112. The movable contact 770is biased counterclockwise and has a finger at its outer end which rideson the cam 110. When it is on the portion 111, the contacts 77b and 770are closed, whereas when it enters the portion 112, the contact 77cengages the contact 77a. To operate the cam operated switch 87, there isprovided a cam 120 having a raised portion 121 and a recessed portion122. The movable contact 870 is biased counterclockwise and has a fingerat its outer end which rides on the cam 120. When it is on the portion121, the contacts 87b and 87c are closed, whereas when it enters theportion 122, the contact 870 engages the contacts 87a.

There is provided a fourth cam 130 having a raised portion 131 and fournotches 132. The movable contact 970 is biased counterclockwise and hasa finger at its outer end which rides on the cam 130. When it is on theportion 131, the contacts 97a and 97c are closed, whereas when it entersany of the notches 132, the contact 970 disengages the contact 97a.

The cams 100, 110, 120 and 130 are ganged together onto a shaft 145, thecams being separated by spacers 146. A gear 147 mounted on the shaft 145engages the gear 54. Thus, operation of the motor 57 causes the camstack consisting of the cams 110, 120, 130 and 140 to rotatecounterclockwise and respectively operate the cam operated switches 67,77, 87 and 97, respectively. FIGS. 2 and 6 illustrate the positions ofthe cams in their initial positions prior to the occurrence of anyevent. The gear ratio of the gears between the motor 57, the code wheel50 and the cam stack is such as to cause the code wheel 50 to make fiverevolutions for every revolution of the cam stack, or stated otherwise,every time the cam stack rotates about 72, the code wheel 50 will make arevolution and, therefore, cause transmission of one round of the codesignal.

If an equipment failure occurs so that the bar 63 shorts the B+ supplyvoltage to the equipment failure input 62, the relay winding 61 isenergized to close the contacts 64ab, whereby 8+ is supplied to therelay winding 61 through the contacts 9412-0 and the contacts 64ab tomaintain the relay 60 energized even if the B+ is removed from the input62. Energization of the relay winding 61 closes the contact 64b-c toprovide a connection from the B+ supply voltage through the contacts85a-c, 75a-c, 6512-0, 67b-c, to the motor 57 to cause it to rotate thecam stack counterclockwise. Specifically, the cam 100 rotatescounterclockwise and as long as the contact 67c rides on the portion101, power continues to be supplied to the motor 57. When the biasing ofthe contact 67c causes it to enter the recessed portion 102, whichoccurs in the illustrated example about 288 after the stack begins torotate, the contacts 67b-c open to disrupt power to the motor 57. the288 of rotation of the cam stack causes the code wheel 50 to rotate fourrevolutions and, therefore,

causes transmission of four rounds of the code signal.

It is to be noted that the relay continues to be energized by virtue ofthe holding contacts 64ab being closed. The counterclockwise movement ofthe contact 670 causes it to engage the contact 67a preparatory toresetting the alarm generator 20. Such reset is accomplished bydepressing the switch 93 which energizes the winding 91 of the relay 90causing the contacts 94b-c to open, thereby to disrupt current to thewinding 61. The relay 60 is thereby de-energized causing the contacts65a-c to close. Now B-lis coupled, by way of the contacts 85a-c, 75ac,65a-c and 67a-c to the motor 57, thereby supplying power thereto. Themotor 57 rotates the cam stack and the code wheel 50. When the cam 100has rotated counterclockwise about 72, the portion 101 will move thecontact 670 out of engagement with the contact 67a thereby disruptingpower to the motor 57. The contacts 67bc will be engaged preparatory tothe occurrence of a subsequent event.

The rotation of the cam stack about 72 caused one revolution of the codewheel 50 thereby sending one round of the code signal. It should benoted that in all, five rounds of the code signal were sent, four toadvise the central station of the occurrence of an equipment failure andone to reset the alarm generator 20 back to its initial position,preparatory to occurrence of the next event. The central station 11recognizes the code signal as that of a specific premises and recognizesfour rounds of that code signal as indicative of the occurrence of anequipment failure and acts accordingly.

If a burglary occurs so that the bar 73 shorts the B+ supply voltage tothe burglar input 72, the relay winding 71 is energized to close thecontacts 74ab, whereby B-lis supplied to the relay winding 61 throughthe contacts 94b-c and the contacts 74ab to maintain the relay energizedeven if the B+ is removed from the input 72. Energization of the relaywinding 71 also closes the contacts 75bc to provide a connection fromthe 3-:- supply voltage through the contacts ac, 7Sb-c, 77b-c to themotor 57 to cause it to rotate the cam stack counterclockwise.Specifically, the cam 110 rotates and as long as the contact 770 rideson the portion 111, power continues to be supplied to the motor 57. Assoon as the biasing of the contact 770 causes it to enter the recessedportion 112, which occurs in the illustrated example about 216 after thestack began to rotate, the contacts 77b-c open to disrupt power to themotor 57. The 216 of rotation of the cam stack causes the code wheel 50to make three revolutions and, therefore, causes transmission of threerounds of the code signal.

It is to be noted that the relay 70 continues to be energized by virtueof the holding contacts 74a-b being closed. The counterclockwisemovement of the contact 770 causes it to engage the contact 77apreparatory to resetting the alarm generator 20. Such reset isaccomplished by depressing the switch 93 which energizes the winding 91of the relay causing the contacts 94b-c to open thereby to disruptcurrent to the winding 71. the relay 70 is thereby de-energized causingthe contacts 75ac to close. Now B+ is coupled, by way of the contacts85a-c, 75a-c and 77a-c to the motor 57, thereby supplying power thereto.The motor 57 rotates the cam stack and the code wheel 50. When the camhas rotated counterclockwise about 144, the portion 111 will move thecontact 770 out of engagement with the contacts 77a, thereby disruptingpower to the motor 57. The contacts 7712- will be engaged preparatory tothe occurrence of a subsequent event. The rotation of the cam stackabout 144 caused two revolutions of the code wheel 50 thereby sendingtwo rounds of the code signal. It should be noted that in all, fiverounds of the code signal were sent, three to advise the central stationof the occurrence of a burglary and two to reset the alarm generatorback to its initial position preparatory to the occurrence of the nextevent. The central station recognizes the code signal as that of aspecific premises and recognizes three rounds of that code siganl asindicative of the occurrence of a burglary and acts accordingly.

lfa fire occurs so that the bar 83 shorts the B+ supply voltage to thefire input 82, the relay winding 81 is energized to close the contacts84ab, whereby 13+ is supplied to the relay winding 81 through thecontacts 9417-0 and the contacts 8411-19 to maintain the relay 81energized even if the 8+ is removed from the input 82. Energization ofthe relay winding 81 also closes the contacts 8517-0 to provide aconnection from the B+ supply voltage through the contacts 8512-0, 87bc,to the motor 57 to cause it to rotate the cam stack counterclockwise.Specifically, the cam 120 rotates counterclockwise and as long as thecontact 87c rides on the portion 111, power continues to be supplied tothe motor 57. When the biasing of the contact 876 causes it to enter therecessed portion 122, which occurs in the illustrated example about 144after the stack begins to rotate, the contacts 8711-0 open to disruptpower to the motor 57. The 144 of rotation of the cam stack causes thecode wheel 50 to make two revolutions and, therefore, causestransmission of two rounds of the code signal.

It is to be noted that the relay 80 continues to be energized by virtueof the holding contacts 84ab being closed. The counterclockwise movementof the contact 870 causes it to engage the contact 870 preparatory toresetting the alarm generator 20. Such reset is accomplished bydepressing the switch 93 which energizes the winding 91 of the relay 90causing the contacts 94b-c to open, thereby to disrupt current to thewinding 81. The relay 60 is thereby de-energized causing the contacts85ac to close. Now B+ is coupled, by way of the contacts 85a-c and 87a-cto the motor 57, thereby supplying power thereto. the motor 57 rotatesthe cam stack and the code wheel 50. When the cam 120 has rotatedcounterclockwise about 216, the portion 121 will move the contact 876out of engagement with the contact 870 thereby disrupting power to themotor 57. the contacts 87b-c will be engaged preparatory to theoccurrence of a subsequent event.

The rotation of the cam stack about 216 causes three revolutions of thecode wheel 50 thereby sending three rounds of the code signal, It shouldbe noted that in all, five rounds of the code signal were sent, two toadvise the central station of the occurrence of a fire and three toreset the alarm generator 20 back to its initial position, preparatoryto occurrence of the next event. The central station 11 recognizes thecode siganl as that of specific premises and recognizes two rounds ofthat code signal as indicative of the occurrence of a fire and actsaccordingly.

There are also provisions for manual operation of the alarm generator 20to apprise the central station 11 of, for example, a medical emergencyor other panic situation. Also, if a burglar enters the premises whenthe burglar alarm portion of the system has not been set, the occupantmay wish to operate the generator 20 manually.

This is accomplished by depressing the switch 93 thereby completing apath for current flow through the winding 91, to cause closure of thecontacts 94a-c. The B-lvoltage is thus connected to the relay winding 71of the relay to energize same and close the contacts 75b-c. Thisconnects the 13+ supply voltage through the contacts zzc, 75b-c and7717-0 to the motor 57 to cause it to rotate the cam stackcounterclockwise. Upon release of the switch 93, the contacts 94a-copen, preparatory to the occurrence of the next event. This de-energizesthe relay winding 71 to open the contacts 74a-b.

As soon as the motor 57 operates, it rotates the cam 130 specifically tomove the contact 970 to the portion 131, thereby closing the contacts97ac. A path is then completed for the B+ supply voltage through thecontacts 97ac to the motor 57 to cause it to continue to operate. Afterthe cam stack has traversed about 144, the finger on the contact 97:enters one of the notches 132 thereby disrupting power to the motor 57via that path. However, at that time the contact 876 has entered therecessed portion 122 of the cam to close the contacts 87a-c. Thiscompletes a path to supply the 13+ supply voltage to the motor 57 by wayof the contacts 85ac and 87ac. As the cam stack continues to rotate, thefinger on the contact 970 will drop out of the notches 132 and againride on the portion 131 so that 8+ is supplied by way of both thecontacts 97a-c and by way of the contacts 87ac. At the next notch 132,the contacts 77a-c will have closed so that 8+ is furnished to the motorvia the contacts 85ac, 75a-c and 77a-c. 1n the last notch 132, the accontacts of the cam operated switches 67, 77 and 87 will have closed tocontinue to supply power to the motor 57. When the finger on the contact970 enters the final notch 132, as shown in FIG. 6, to disrupt power byway of the contacts 97a-c, all of the other cam operated switches willhave similarly opened so that power to the motor 57 is finallydisrupted.

The 360 rotation of the cam stack causes the code wheel 50 to make fiverevolutions and, therefore, causes transmission of five rounds of thecode signal. Since the cam stack has made an entire revolution, it isalready effectively reset preparatory to the occurrence of a subsequentevent. It is noted that the same switch 93 which is used to reset thealarm generator 20 also functions as the manual operator for medicalemergency, panic, etc.

Summarizing, the occurrence of an equipment failure will cause the camstack to rotate about 288 thereby causing the code wheel 50 to make fourrevolutions, to transmit four rounds of the code signal. When the alarmgenerator 20 is thereafter reset, the cam stack will be caused to rotatean additional 72 so that it arrives at its point, which rotation causesone revolution of the code wheel 50 and, therefore, one round of thecode signal. A burglary will cause the cam stack to rotate about 216thereby causing the code wheel 50 to make three revolutions, to transmitthree rounds of the code signal. When the alarm generator 20 isthereafter reset, the cam stack will be caused to rotate an additional144 so that it arrives at its initial starting point, which rotationcauses two revolutions of the code wheel 50 and, therefore, two roundsof the code signal. The occurrence of a fire will cause the cam stack torotate about 144 thereby causing the code wheel 50 to make tworevolutions, to transmit two rounds of the code signal. When the alarmgenerator is thereafter reset, the cam stack will be caused to rotate anadditional 216 so that it arrives at its initial starting point, whichrotation causes three revolutions of the code wheel 50 and, therefore,three rounds of the code signal, Finally, manual operation of the alarmgenerator, in the case of a medical emergency or other panic situation,causes the cam stack to rotate 360 thereby causing the code wheel 50 tomake five revolutions, to transmit five rounds of the code signal. Thus,in the panic mode, the cam stack makes an entire revolution so that itarrives at its starting position automatically without being reset.

When each event occurs and the alarm generator is thereafter reset, fiverounds in all of the code signal have been sent so that in each case thealarm generator automatically arrives at its initial conditionpreparatory to the occurrence of another event.

It is understood that the number of events, the kind of events, thenumber of rounds of the code signal, etc. described herein are merelyexemplary of an alarm system incorporating the features of the presentinvention, Thus, for example, more or less cams and associated camoperated switches may be employed depending upon the number of events tobe covered. Also the number of rounds of the code signal to betransmitted as to the occurrence of a selected event may be similarlyselected.

It is believed that the invention, its mode of construction andassembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood fromthe foregoing without further description, and it should also bemanifest that, while a preferred embodiment of the invention has beenshown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural detailsare, nevertheless, capable of wide variation within the purview of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An alarm generator adapted to be located on a premises to beprotected against the occurrence of a plurality of events, andsupervised at a point remote from the premises, comprising means forproducing at least one code signal for transmission to the remote point,a rotatably mounted code wheel programmed to cause said producing meansto produce a predetermined code signal for each revolution of said codewheel, a motor for rotating said code wheel, a plurality of switchingmeans for coupling power to said motor, a plurality of event inputs eachproviding an enabling voltage in response to occurrence of one of theplurality of events, said switching means being respectively coupled tosaid plurality of event inputs and each being responsive to the presenceof the associated enabling voltage to couple the power to said motor, aplurality of control mechanisms respectively coupled to said pluralityof switching means and operatively coupled to said motor, each of saidcontrol mechanisms having means responsive to a predetermined rotationof said motor to operate said switching means to stop said motor,whereby said code wheel is caused to rotate a number of revolutionscorresponding to the predetermined rotation of said motor, and resetmeans for causing said switching means to deliver power to said motor,each of said control mechanisms having further means responsive to afurther predetermined rotation of said motor to stop said motor, wherebysaid code wheel is caused to rotate a further number of revolutionscorresponding to the further predetermined rotation of said motor.

2. The alarm generator of claim 1, wherein the premises are to beprotected against four events, and wherein there are four switchingmeans, four event inputs and four control mechanisms.

3. The alarm generator of claim 1, wherein said producing means includesa McCullough switch.

4. The alarm generator of claim 1, and further comprising a plurality ofholding means associated with said switching means for maintaining saidswitching means operative to couple power to said motor for saidpredetermined rotation of said motor despite termination of the enablingvoltage.

5. the alarm generator of claim 1, wherein said control mechanisms areganged together.

6. The alarm generator of claim 1, further comprising a further eventinput to receive an enabling voltage in the presence of a further event,said reset means including means responsive to an enabling voltage atsaid further event input to operate said switching means and cause powerto be supplied to said motor to cause a predetermined number ofrevolutions of said code wheel.

7. An alarm generator adapted to be located on a premises to beprotected against the occurrence of a plurality of events, andsupervised ata point remote from the premises, comprising means forproducing at least one code signal for transmission to the remote point,a rotatably mounted code wheel programmed to cause said producing meansto produce a predetermined code signal for each revolution of said codewheel, a motor for rotating said code wheel, a plurality of firstswitching means each having an input coupled to a power source and firstand second outputs, said first switching means having an initialcondition in which said input is coupled to said first output anddecoupled from said second output, a plurality of event inputs eachproviding an enabling voltage in response to occurrence of one of theplurality of events, said plurality of first switching means beingrespectively coupled to said plurality of event inputs and each beingresponsive to the presence of the associated enabling voltage to causesaid input to be coupled to said second output and decoupled from saidfirst output, a plurality of second switching means respectivelyassociated with said plurality of first switching means and each havingan output coupled to said motor and first and second inputs respectivelycoupled to the outputs of said first switching means, said secondswitching means having an initial condition in which said output thereofis decoupled from said first input and is coupled to said second inputto deliver power to said motor by way of the second output of said firstswitching means and the second input of said second switching means, aplurality of control mechanisms respectively coupled to said pluralityof second switching means and operatively coupled to said motor, each ofsaid control mechanisms having means responsive to a predeterminedrotation of said motor to decouple said output of said second switchingmeans from said second input to stop said motor and to couple saidoutput thereof to said first input, whereby said code wheel is caused torotate a numlll ber of revolutions corresponding to the predeterminedrotation of said motor, and reset means for returning said firstswitching means to the initial condition thereof to deliver power tosaid motor by way of the first output of said first switching means andthe first input of said second switching means, each of said controlmechanisms having further means responsive to a further predeterminedrotation of said motor to return the associated second switching meansto the initial condition thereof and thereby stop said motor, wherebysaid code wheel is caused to rotate a further number of revolutionscorresponding to the further predetermined rotation of said motor.

8. The alarm generator of claim 7, wherein each of said first switchingmeans includes a relay having a movable contact corresponding to saidinput and two stationary contacts corresponding to said first and secondoutputs.

9. The alarm generator of claim 7, and further comprising a plurality offurther switching means respectively associated with at least some ofsaid first switching means and being responsive to the occurrence of anevent to maintain the input and the second output of said firstswitching means coupled after termination of the associated enablingvoltage.

10. An alarm generator adapted to be located on a premises to beprotected against the occurrence of a plurality of events, andsupervised at a point remote from the premises, comprising means forproducing at least one code signal for transmission to the remote point,a rotatably mounted code wheel programmed to cause said producing meansto produce a predetermined code signal for each revolution of said codewheel, a motor for rotating said code wheel, a plurality of switchingmeans each having a first contact coupled to a power source and secondand third contacts, said switching means having an initial condition inwhich said first contact is connected to said second contact and isdisconnected from said third contact, a plurality of event inputs eachproviding an enabling voltage in response to occurrence of one of theplurality of events, said plurality of switching means beingrespectively coupled to said plurality of event inputs and each beingresponsive to the presence of the associated en abling voltage to causesaid first contact to be connected to said third contact and to bedisconnected from said second contact, a plurality of cam operatedswitches respectively associated with said plurality of switching meansand each having a fourth contact coupled to said motor and fifth andsixth contacts respeetively coupled to the second and third contacts ofsaid switching means, said cam operated switches having an initialcondition in which said fourth contact thereof is disconnected from saidfifth contact and is connected to said sixth contact to deliver power tosaid motor by way of said third and sixth contacts, a stack of aplurality of cams respectively coupled to said plurality of cam operatedswitches and operatively coupled to said motor, each of said cams havinga portion responsive to a predetermined rotation of said motor todisconnect said fourth contact from said sixth contact to stop saidmotor and to connect said fourth contact to said fifth contact, wherebysaid code wheel is caused to rotate a number of revolutionscorresponding to the predetermined rotation of said motor, and resetmeans for returning said switch means to the initial condition thereofto couple power to said motor by way of said second and fifth contacts,each of said cam means having a further portion thereon responsive to afurther predetermined rotation of said motor to return the associatedcam operated switch to the initial condition thereof and thereby stopsaid motor, whereby said code wheel is caused to rotate a further numberof revolutions corresponding to the further predetermined rotation ofsaid motor.

11. The alarm generator of claim 10, wherein said cams are gangedtogether.

1. An alarm generator adapted to be located on a premises to beprotected against the occurrence of a plurality of events, andsupervised at a point remote from the premises, comprising means forproducing at least one code signal for transmission to the remote point,a rotatably mounted code wheel programmed to cause said producing meansto produce a predetermined code signal for each revolution of said codewheel, a motor for rotating said code wheel, a plurality of switchingmeans for coupling power to said motor, a plurality of event inputs eachproviding an enabling voltage in response to occurrence of one of theplurality of events, said switching means being respectively coupled tosaid plurality of event inputs and each being responsive to the presenceof the associated enabling voltage to couple the power to said motor, aplurality of control mechanisms respectively coupled to said pluralityof switching means and operatively coupled to said motor, each of saidcontrol mechanisms having means responsive to a predetermined rotationof said motor to operate said switching means to stop said motor,whereby said code wheel is caused to rotate a number of revolutionscorresponding to the predetermined rotation of said motor, and resetmeans for causing said switching means to deliver power to said motor,each of said control mechanisms having further means responsive to afurther predetermined rotation of said motor to stop said motor, wherebysaid code wheel is caused to rotate a further number of revolutionscorresponding to the further predetermined rotation of said motor. 2.The alarm generator of claim 1, wherein the premises are to be protectedagainst four events, and wherein there are four switching means, fourevent inputs and four control mechanisms.
 3. The alarm generator ofclaim 1, wherein said producing means includes a McCullough switch. 4.The alarm generator of claim 1, and further comprising a plurality ofholding means associated with said switching means for maintaining saidswitching means operative to couple power to said motor for saidpredetermined rotation of said motor despite termination of the enablingvoltage.
 5. the alarm generator of claim 1, wherein said controlmechanisms are ganged together.
 6. The alarm generator of claim 1,further comprising a further event input to receive an enabling voltagein the presence of a further event, said reset means including meansresponsive to an enabling voltage at said further event input to operatesaid switching means and cause power to be supplied to said motor tocause a predetermined number of revolutions of said code wheel.
 7. Analarm generator adapted to be located on a premises to be protectedagainst the occurrence of a plurality of events, and supervised at apoint remote from the premises, comprising means for producing at leastone code signal for transmission to the remote point, a rotatablymounted code wheel programmed to cause said producing means to produce apre-determined code signal for each revolution of said code wheel, amotor for rotating said code wheel, a plurality of first switching meanseach having an input coupled to a power source and first and secondoutputs, said first switching means having an initial condition in whichsaid input is coupled to said first output and decoupled from saidsecond output, a plurality of event inputs each providing an enablingvoltage in response to occurrence of one of the plurality of events,said plurality of first switching means being respectively coupled tosaid plurality of event inputs and each being responsive to the presenceoF the associated enabling voltage to cause said input to be coupled tosaid second output and decoupled from said first output, a plurality ofsecond switching means respectively associated with said plurality offirst switching means and each having an output coupled to said motorand first and second inputs respectively coupled to the outputs of saidfirst switching means, said second switching means having an initialcondition in which said output thereof is decoupled from said firstinput and is coupled to said second input to deliver power to said motorby way of the second output of said first switching means and the secondinput of said second switching means, a plurality of control mechanismsrespectively coupled to said plurality of second switching means andoperatively coupled to said motor, each of said control mechanismshaving means responsive to a predetermined rotation of said motor todecouple said output of said second switching means from said secondinput to stop said motor and to couple said output thereof to said firstinput, whereby said code wheel is caused to rotate a number ofrevolutions corresponding to the predetermined rotation of said motor,and reset means for returning said first switching means to the initialcondition thereof to deliver power to said motor by way of the firstoutput of said first switching means and the first input of said secondswitching means, each of said control mechanisms having further meansresponsive to a further predetermined rotation of said motor to returnthe associated second switching means to the initial condition thereofand thereby stop said motor, whereby said code wheel is caused to rotatea further number of revolutions corresponding to the furtherpredetermined rotation of said motor.
 8. The alarm generator of claim 7,wherein each of said first switching means includes a relay having amovable contact corresponding to said input and two stationary contactscorresponding to said first and second outputs.
 9. The alarm generatorof claim 7, and further comprising a plurality of further switchingmeans respectively associated with at least some of said first switchingmeans and being responsive to the occurrence of an event to maintain theinput and the second output of said first switching means coupled aftertermination of the associated enabling voltage.
 10. An alarm generatoradapted to be located on a premises to be protected against theoccurrence of a plurality of events, and supervised at a point remotefrom the premises, comprising means for producing at least one codesignal for transmission to the remote point, a rotatably mounted codewheel programmed to cause said producing means to produce apredetermined code signal for each revolution of said code wheel, amotor for rotating said code wheel, a plurality of switching means eachhaving a first contact coupled to a power source and second and thirdcontacts, said switching means having an initial condition in which saidfirst contact is connected to said second contact and is disconnectedfrom said third contact, a plurality of event inputs each providing anenabling voltage in response to occurrence of one of the plurality ofevents, said plurality of switching means being respectively coupled tosaid plurality of event inputs and each being responsive to the presenceof the associated enabling voltage to cause said first contact to beconnected to said third contact and to be disconnected from said secondcontact, a plurality of cam operated switches respectively associatedwith said plurality of switching means and each having a fourth contactcoupled to said motor and fifth and sixth contacts respectively coupledto the second and third contacts of said switching means, said camoperated switches having an initial condition in which said fourthcontact thereof is disconnected from said fifth contact and is connectedto said sixth contact to deliver power to said motor by way of saidthird and sixth contacts, a stack of a plurality of Cams respectivelycoupled to said plurality of cam operated switches and operativelycoupled to said motor, each of said cams having a portion responsive toa predetermined rotation of said motor to disconnect said fourth contactfrom said sixth contact to stop said motor and to connect said fourthcontact to said fifth contact, whereby said code wheel is caused torotate a number of revolutions corresponding to the predeterminedrotation of said motor, and reset means for returning said switch meansto the initial condition thereof to couple power to said motor by way ofsaid second and fifth contacts, each of said cam means having a furtherportion thereon responsive to a further predetermined rotation of saidmotor to return the associated cam operated switch to the initialcondition thereof and thereby stop said motor, whereby said code wheelis caused to rotate a further number of revolutions corresponding to thefurther predetermined rotation of said motor.
 11. The alarm generator ofclaim 10, wherein said cams are ganged together.